CNN to end broadcasting in Russia because of changes in media legislation

CNN has announced that it will stop broadcasting it’s news channel in Russia because of changes in media legislation.

Turner International, a Time Warner Company that operates CNN, said in a statement:

“Turner International is assessing its distribution options for CNN in Russia in light of recent changes in Russian media legislation,”

Adding

“We are bringing our existing distribution relationships to an end while we do that. We hope to re-enter the market in due course, and will notify our partners of any update about resuming these services.”

In October, Russia passed a law that required foreign-owned media companies in Russia to reduce non-Russian ownership to 20 percent by the end of 2016.

The statement by Turner does not specifically say why it made the decision, but it appears to be referring to the foreign media ownership law that went through.

The chairman of the Kremlin’s human rights council, Mikhail Fedotov, said that the move will “seriously impoverish” Russia’s information sphere.